Under the Radar: Mezcla

Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon

Mezcla are at the forefront of Glasgow’s burgeoning jazz and world music scene. They are led by bassist David Bowden (BBC Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year 2017) and feature some of Scotland’s brightest young musicians.

Thanks to the sextet’s innovative blend of soulful jazz, energetic grooves and a mix of West African, Latin American and Scottish influences, they’ve been championed by BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio Scotland and our sister paper,The Scotsman. Mezcla play live on Friday for BBC Music’s Biggest Weekend festival in Perth, and on 21 June, as part of Glasgow International Jazz Festival, they will unveil a new work funded by Help Musicians UK at Glasgow’s Stereo – a collaboration with artist Jamie Johnson, who will contribute accompanying live visuals projected onto a screen. See https://www.mezcla.co.uk

Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run music industry seminar and social night, Born To Be Wide. www.borntobewide.co.uk

The Hidden Door Festival takes place at the Leith Theatre and the State Cinema, Edinburgh, from 25 May until 3 June, featuring performances from Young Fathers, Sylvan Esso, Nadine Shah, Admiral Fallow, Submotion Orchestra, Romare, Dream Wife, C Duncan and many more, plus theatre, film, dance, visual art and spoken word. Free entry from 12-6pm, tickets from 6pm till late available at http://hiddendoorblog.org